Tuesday, 29 August 2023
That's Home and Household: Allergic Rhinitis is a year round problem. But hel...
That's Home and Household: Allergic Rhinitis is a year round problem. But hel...: Fortunately, air purifiers made by Blueair can help. They are suitable for the home, or the office and they help improve indoor air quality ...
Stanislav Kondrashov Publishes the History of Chocolate
In "The Surprising History of Chocolate," Stanislav Kondrashov unveils chocolate's rich and varied history, from its beginnings in Mesoamerica to its global status as a symbol of indulgence.
The article guides readers through each pivotal historical era, shedding light on the remarkable transformations chocolate has undergone.
Kondrashov expertly navigates the narrative, allowing readers to savour the fascinating details of chocolate's origins as a form of currency among the Aztecs.
Who would have thought that cocoa beans were once used to buy turkeys? The article then takes readers on a voyage through ancient Mayan rituals, where chocolate was revered as a bitter, frothy beverage enjoyed by the very elite of Mayan society.
As the article continues, the story of how chocolate underwent a metamorphosis upon its arrival in Europe unravels.
The infusion of sugar into the bitter concoction marked a significant turning point, leading to the creation of the sweet treat that we adore today.
The Spaniards' secrecy surrounding chocolate and its eventual popularity among the European elite added layers of intrigue to its history.
The Industrial Revolution's impact on chocolate production is another captivating chapter in the article. Stanislav highlights how innovations like the conching machine democratised access to smooth, creamy chocolate, paving the way for household names like Milton Hershey, Cadbury, and Nestlé to shape the modern chocolate industry.
The article culminates in a celebration of chocolate's global significance. He showcases the myriad ways in which cultures worldwide have embraced and transformed chocolate into a universal symbol of love and comfort.
From luxurious Belgian truffles to spicy Mexican hot chocolate and creamy Swiss milk chocolate bars, the diversity of chocolate's forms mirrors the diversity of human indulgence.
"Chocolate's journey through time and across continents is a testament to its enduring allure," says Kondrashov. "Every bite encapsulates centuries of history, innovation, and passion, making it a treat that truly transcends borders."
"The Surprising History of Chocolate" by Stanislav Kondrashov is a mouth-watering exploration of a timeless delight. Whether you're a chocolate connoisseur or simply curious about the origins of your favourite treat, this article promises to enchant and educate readers of all backgrounds.
https://stanislavkondrashov.com
(Image courtesy of Stanislav Kondrashov.)
Sustainable & Healthy Cuisine and Live Music Unite in a Virtual Culinary Spectacle
In an era where memorable experiences are becoming a rare commodity, a ground-breaking event is poised to take centre stage.
"EcoHarmony Eats & Beats - UK" a sensational blend of sustainable and healthy cuisine paired with captivating live music, is set to delight audiences and awaken their senses.
It's important to know that EcoHarmony Eats & Beats isn't just an event; it's a harmonious convergence of culinary artistry and musical magic. This unique experience unfolds in the comfort of your home through a virtual platform, every Wednesday night at 7 PM (UK time).
A Culinary Journey: At the heart of EcoHarmony Eats & Beats is a deep appreciation for sustainable and healthy cuisine. Every week, a renowned chef or sustainable cooking expert will lead a live cooking session that guides participants in crafting eco-conscious culinary masterpieces.
Subscribers don their aprons and cook along, creating delicious and planet-friendly dishes whilst learning from the best in the field.
The Musical Interlude: Following the cooking session, it's time for the musical interlude. A talented musician will take the virtual stage, infusing the evening with soul-soothing melodies. As subscribers savour the meal they've prepared, they're serenaded with live music, elevating the sensory experience to incredible new heights.
Why EcoHarmony Eats & Beats is a Must-Experience Event:
Eco-Friendly Fare: Learning how to prepare sustainable dishes that are kind to the planet.
Healthy Living: Exploring the secrets of crafting nutritious, delicious meals.
Musical Bliss: Immersing yourself in live music that stirs the soul.
Community Connection: Joining a vibrant community of like-minded food and music enthusiasts.
Convenience: Experiencing it all from the comfort of your own home.
Special Early Bird Offer: For a limited time, subscribers can access this unparalleled experience at an early bird price of just 15 euros for the first month (it's regularly 50 euros). The event subscription includes weekly sessions, making it an incredible value.
Become Part of the EcoHarmony Community: EcoHarmony Eats & Beats isn't just an event; it's a movement. A movement toward sustainable living, healthier choices, and the joy of culinary exploration.
Join them for an unforgettable journey that will tantalise your taste buds, uplift your spirit, and foster connections within their eco-conscious community.
3FRuum is a dynamic creator platform that brings together talent from various fields to create captivating content and unique experiences. EcoHarmony Eats & Beats is just one example of our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences that resonate with our audience.
https://www.3fruum.com/stories/conversation-sustainable_cooking-ei20acq33s
SCI-MX has a wide range of premium quality nutritional supplements
SCI-MX was launched back in 2007 to help nurture, support and inspire sportsmanship in everyone.
Based on their latest research, the products are developed in-house by its team of fully-qualified nutritionists.
SCI-MX focus on three aspects: Developing sports performance, enhancing physical appearance, and positively aiding health and well-being.
SCI-MX has a whole range of protein powders including diet protein:
Diet protein
Diet Protein (£39.99): https://sci-mx.co.uk/collections/protein-powders/products/diet-protein-1
22g protein per serving
110 calories per serving
Low sugar
Unique blend of vitamins and minerals.
Balanced nutrition
With Green Tea, CLA and L-Carnitine
This is a diet-targeted lean protein shake formulated with added vitamins and minerals for many health benefits. The Diet Protein has the ideal balance of protein, fat, and carbs for people on a calorie-restricted diet and a health exercise regime. Available in strawberry and chocolate
Diet Shake Meal Replacement
Diet Shake Meal Replacement (£29.99): https://sci-mx.co.uk/products/diet-shake-meal-replacement?_pos=1&_sid=4948de201&_ss=r
25g protein per serving
204 calories per serving
Supports weight loss by replacing higher calorie meals
Nutritionally balanced formula for weight loss
Provides 24 essential micronutrients
High in Calcium and Zinc
The Nutritionally balanced, high protein meal replacement shake is designed to contribute to weight loss and contains 25g protein, only 203 calories per serving and 24 essential micronutrients. Available in three delicious flavours: chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.
Incidentally, one key point you should remember is not only do they work well, they also taste exceptionally good, too and so are very pleasant to use.
Top tomato brand Mutti hunts for UKs top tomato cooks!
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This amazing yearly culinary event is aimed at celebrating all things tomato and the exceptional quality and taste of its Italian tomato products.
To launch the search for the UK’s best tomato cook, Mutti has revealed the fascinating results from its chef survey, shedding light on their perceptions, and preferences when it comes to tomato-based ingredients.
The eye-opening facts challenge common beliefs about tomatoes but also highlight the importance of quality, taste, and sustainable practices in the culinary world.
Kirsty Beckman, who is the Brand Manager UK for Mutti says: “It's an exciting time of year for Mutti where we begin our yearly search for our next Golden Tomato Cook.
"To celebrate this, we thought it was a great chance to see what chefs in the UK think about tomatoes. We've unveiled some really surprising results from the survey, including tomato myths and insightful preferences.
"We’re now calling all tomato enthusiasts to unearth the chef within them and join Mutti's Golden Tomato Cook Competition, 2023.
"We're calling on them to show us their creative flair and craft a spectacular three-course menu featuring our Polpa Finely Chopped Tomatoes, Peeled Tomatoes, Passata, and Double Concentrated Tomato Puree.
"With esteemed judges and remarkable prizes, this is their chance to shine. Enter now at cooking competition entry page and let your passion for great food and cooking take the spotlight!"
Tomatoes are the Indispensable Ingredient
The survey uncovered the essential ingredients chefs simply can't live without, and unsurprisingly, tomatoes and/or tomato products secured the top spot at 44%. This reaffirms the integral role Mutti's tomatoes play in elevating dishes to new heights. Salt and/or Pepper, and Olive Oil came second and third respectively.
The Fruit That Masquerades as a Vegetable
Surprisingly, 55% of chefs confessed to misidentifying tomatoes as vegetables, when in fact, they are really fruits. This stunning admission shows even amongst chefs there's still much to learn and love about the not-so-humble tomatoes.
The survey further showcased that whilst 44% of chefs acknowledged the centuries-old (over 500 years in fact) heritage of Italian tomatoes, only half of them were aware the famous San Marzano tomatoes exclusively hail from the Campania region, adding a delightful layer of historical context to the chef's staple.
Also, 51% of chefs correctly recognised the presence of lycopene in tomatoes, known for its considerable and important health benefits; a powerful antioxidant that can help protect cells from damage. This highlights the importance of not only taste but also the nutritional value of ingredients in modern culinary creations.
Tomato Quality is Key!
When it comes to tomato-based ingredients, the top three factors that matter the most to chefs are quality (42%), product size (36%), and flavour and/or great taste (35%). This indicates that Mutti's commitment to providing premium quality tomatoes is aligned with the priorities of culinary professionals, who value excellence in ingredients above all else.
The Global Tomato Perspective
Another fascinating insight revealed the top countries perceived by chefs to produce the best quality tomatoes include Italy, India, and the USA. Italy's inclusion in the top three enhances the Golden Tomato Cook Competition, as Mutti is proud to showcase the unrivalled quality of its tomato products, made using only the highest quality 100% Italian tomatoes, as well as the products’ unique flavour profile and taste.
The Conscientious Chef
The survey also delved into ethical considerations of chefs when selecting ingredients. Over half of the chefs surveyed (51%) stressed the importance of responsibly and fairly sourced ingredients, with 57% emphasising the need for ingredients from reputable and known brands.
This aligns with Mutti's dedicated commitment to sustainable working practices including protecting the diversity and vitality of the environment to ensure long term sustainability, which Mutti continues to educate on the importance of, for longevity and the best tomato product. Mutti also focuses on long term relationships with their farmers, paying an average 10% higher than the market average to ensure mutually beneficial relationships.
But what's more, 55% of chefs agreed ingredients must be of the best quality, something Mutti has been uncompromising on for over 120 years. The fact that 54% of chefs emphasised the significance of great taste and/or flavour reaffirms one of the central focuses of the Golden Tomato Cook Competition.
The search of the UK’s Golden Tomato Cook is now on!
Mutti's 3rd Golden Tomato Cook Competition is here, paying homage to the revered Pomodorino d'oro, where Mutti rewards the farmer who supplies the highest quality produce whilst also using sustainable and responsible practices.
Mutti's cooking contest celebrates sustainable excellence and invites home cooks to craft the ultimate three-course menu with Mutti Essentials - Polpa Finely Chopped Tomatoes, Peeled Tomatoes, Passata, and Double Concentrated Tomato Puree.
Enter with a starter, main, and bonus dish of your choice, with each recipe highlighting a different Mutti Essential and its unique characteristics. The esteemed judging panel, which includes top chefs Carlo Casoni, Nigel Barden, Ben Tish, and Gabriella Margiotta, will assess dishes based on taste, presentation, and above all, making tomatoes the hero.
Public vote shortlists five menus, and the final three compete in a live cook off at Sauce, by The Langham in London on 19th October 2023. The grand prize is an exclusive foodie trip to Parma, Italy, the home of Mutti, along with mentorship from Chef Ben Tish. 2nd prize is a virtual cooking class with Mutti head chef, Carlo, and the 3rd prize is a 3-course meal for 2 at Eataly restaurants. 4th and 5th place winners will receive a produce hamper from Mutti.
Contestants have until 23:59 on 26th September 2023 to create and submit their menus online, so there is no time to lose, get creating and get your entries in. To enter, visit https://mutti-parma.com/en/golden-tomato-cook-2023-entry/ where you'll be able to discover recipe inspiration and tips too. Terms and conditions apply.
(Pictures: provided by Mutti)
Monday, 28 August 2023
Home frozen bananas make an excellent treat
Peel your bananas, place then in a suitable freezer proof container, perhaps employing freezer boxes or freezer bags and then place them in your freezer.
Leave them in your freezer for a suitable period of time (at least several hours) and then taken them out and enjoy them as a very tasty, frozen treat.
Yes, we admit to being inspired by the folks over at Pukpip who produce very tasty chocolate dipped banana lollies. You can read about them, here https://thatsfoodanddrink.blogspot.com/2023/07/pukpip-on-path-to-rapid-growth.html.
However, my wife does have a chocolate allergy so her idea of non-dipped frozen bananas is very helpful to herself and anyone else who has a chocolate allergy.
Frozen bananas will make an excellent sweet but low sugar snack for any time of the year and I feel they'll make a great treat for Christmas, perhaps especially if served with typical Christmas sweet spices such as ginger, all spice, cinnamon, etc. That is if you can stop people from eating them as soon as they are frozen!)
(Image courtesy of Guilherme Machado from Pixabay)
That's Christmas: Why Not Try Crafting for Christmas?
That's Christmas: Why Not Try Crafting for Christmas?: Why not try your hand at crafting for Christmas this year? It’s a great way of learning new skills or honing old ones. And you will be able...
Feast for a Fiver as Waitrose ‘wraps’ up your lunchtimes with a new meal deal
And what's more, the Waitrose Food to Go range is made without compromising quality and also adhering to high animal welfare standards.
The new Waitrose meal deal will launch on 30th August. For £5 customers can opt from over 300 products and can decide on one of their sandwiches, wraps or salads, or sushi (from a special selected range), alongside a choice of snacks from a curated selection of cereal bars, crisps and snack pots, plus a drink.
Options available within the offer include customer faves like their Essential Waitrose Cheese & Onion sandwich, PlantLiving No Duck Hoisin Wrap, Waitrose Prawn Mayo sandwich, Waitrose Chicken & Bacon Caesar wrap, Waitrose PlantLiving VLT, Waitrose Chicken, Tomato & Basil Pasta, Taiko Crispy Duck Rolls, Waitrose Flapjack, Waitrose LoveLife Nuts, Fruit & Seeds, Deliciously Ella Cashew Cranberry Fruit Nut & Seed Bar, Waitrose Pineapple Fingers (120g), Waitrose Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice and Waitrose Strawberry & Banana Smoothie.
Jennifer Moscardini, who is Waitrose's Food to Go Buyer, said: “We’re a nation of sandwich lovers. Sales are up almost 40% over the past three years. More people are returning to work from their offices again, and travelling more, so obviously they're looking for a fantastic meal deal option.
“This lunchtime deal means our customers will be able to get a great quality sandwich, wrap, salad or sushi, plus a snack and a drink for £5, and if they have a myWaitrose loyalty card, and a reusable cup they can get a free cup of coffee at the same time!"
She went on to say: "And we haven't compromised on our standards, either. We use British higher welfare chicken, pork & beef in all our sandwiches, MSC prawns and salmon, and all our eggs come from free range hens.
“This year we’ve introduced more meal deals than ever before to help our customers with the cost of living crisis, plus investing £100m in new lower prices across our aisles, too.
"Our best-selling sandwich over the last ten years has been prawn mayonnaise, followed by Egg Mayonnaise and the Classic BLT - but now wraps have become increasingly popular with one in four people buying a wrap instead."
List of top ten best-selling sandwiches 10 years ago:
Waitrose Prawn mayonnaise
Waitrose Egg mayonnaise and cress
Waitrose Classic BLT
Essential Waitrose Tuna Mayo
Waitrose Smoked Ham & Cheese
Essential Waitrose Egg Mayonnaise
Essential Waitrose cheese & onion
Waitrose Salmon & Cucumber
Waitrose Salmon & Cream Cheese
Waitrose Chicken & Bacon
List of top ten best-selling sandwiches/wraps today:
Waitrose Prawn mayonnaise sandwich
Waitrose Essential Cheese and Onion
Waitrose Essential Egg mayonnaise sandwich
Waitrose Steak & caramelised onion chutney sandwich
Waitrose Hoisin duck wrap
Waitrose Chicken & Bacon Caesar wrap
Waitrose Essential Tuna mayonnaise sandwich
Waitrose Salt Beef & Mustard Mayonnaise sandwich
Waitrose Salmon & Cream Cheese sandwich
Waitrose Classic BLT
East Horsley store relaunched as new Sainsbury’s Local
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Sainsbury's has joined forces with North Guildford Food Bank as its local food donation partner, thus ensuring donations and excess food from the shop will go to local people in the community who need it the most.
The charity joined Sainsbury’s colleagues, around half of whom are new to the store with the other half transferring from the previous store, to cut the ribbon and celebrate the opening morning.
Conveniently located at the end of Ockham Road South’s popular shopping parade, the new 2,000 sq. ft Sainsbury’s will serve and help customers between the hours of 7am and 11pm, daily.
The opening will bring a carefully curated selection of Sainsbury’s great value, high-quality foods, drinks, plus general merchandise within easier reach of East Horsley residents, whose nearest Sainsbury’s store was over six miles away in Fetcham until now.
Offering everything from fresh bread and cakes baked daily in-store to delicious fresh fruit and veg, meat, fish and meal solutions, the new store is specially designed to bring more convenience and choice to customers.
As well as a dedicated Costa Coffee machine, customers can also take advantage of a new Click & Collect service in the store, conveniently which enables them to order online from Sainsbury’s much-loved Argos, Habitat and Tu Clothing brands for collection whilst they pick up their groceries.
Patrick Dunne, who is Sainsbury’s Property Director, said: “It’s always a genuine pleasure to bring Sainsbury’s to a new community for the first time and we’re really pleased to have completed work on this fresh Local in East Horsley.
"I hope our customers in the village will enjoy their new-look convenience store, both for the fantastic colleague service and the high-quality Sainsbury’s products now on offer in the same convenient location.”
Ryan Thompson, who is Sainsbury’s East Horsley Local Store Manager, said: “I’d like to thank everyone in the community for all the fantastic support we’ve received leading up to our opening, particularly the colleagues that make up my new team in-store.
"I’m really proud of how we’ve come together to make the store’s launch a success. I’d also like to thank our customers for bearing with us whilst we transformed the store, it’s great to now be welcoming everyone to experience it for themselves.”
(EDITOR: My wife and I plan on making a visit to our new Sainsbury's local store which is a short distance from our home.)
Lidl predicts jump in ice cream sales, despite gloomy weather
Despite a somewhat varied, mixed weather forecast, Lidl is still predicting a rise in sales of its ice creams and lollies, after it saw sales of its frozen range surge during recent a recent spell of wet weather.
Shoppers are guaranteed to bag a bank holiday Monday bargain after Lidl GB was crowned cheapest supermarket for seven months in a row by the Manchester Evening News newspaper, whilst being named the cheapest supermarket for BBQ essentials by Which? magazine.
Despite the mixed weather forecast, with temperatures set to drop again this bank holiday, Lidl GB is predicting a surge in ice cream sales, after seeing an 8.1% in sales of its frozen range during the recent rainy period.
The update comes as Lidl GB confirms its bank holiday opening times, while sharing the quietest times to shop as customers gear up for the bank holiday.
On the Bank Holiday Monday, today, stores across England and Wales will open between 8am and 8pm, whilst Scotish branches will remain open as normal. Some store opening times could vary, so customers are advised to check the store finder on Lidl’s website for details on their local Lidl branches.
Customers planning to stock up on frozen treats can get their hands on wide range of ice creams and lollies, including its Gelatelli Classic Ice Creams (£2.65) that recently received the Which? Best Buy accolade in June 2023.
You can find your nearest Lidl store, here:
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